Energy News  
Athena To Develop Flight Controls For Morphing UAV

File photo: The Morphing UAV is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
by Staff Writers
Warrenton VA (SPX) Apr 06, 2006
Athena Technologies has announced that it has won a contract from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company to implement the flight controls for Lockheed Martin's Morphing UAV. The Morphing UAV is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Morphing Aircraft Structures (MAS) program, to which Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is a contractor.

The MAS program will develop ground-breaking technologies to radically change the shape of an aircraft's wings in flight in order to rapidly accommodate a new mission. For example, by expanding and contracting wing structures in flight, a single aircraft can perform both loitering surveillance and reconnaissance missions and high-speed attack missions, which is unprecedented.

Under the contract, Athena will provide Lockheed Martin with its GuideStar(TM) navigation and flight control system and integration. The GuideStar 111m is an advanced, miniaturized system specifically designed for small, high-performance UAV applications. It integrates navigation, control and vehicle management in one unit which is about the same size as a cigarette pack. In addition, the GS-111m design is based on Athena's patented and proven flight controls technology, which has a strong track record of reducing the overall life cycle cost of designing and developing multiple wide-ranging UAVs. The first flight of the Morphing UAV is scheduled for Summer 2006.

"Athena's products and expertise are critical for the success of this revolutionary program, "said Charles Chase, MAS Program Manager for Lockheed Martin's Advanced Development Programs. "With their experience in implementing flight controls in many types of UAVs, from Tactical UAVs, to ducted fan UAVS, Target Drones, and missiles, we are confident we have chosen a dependable partner in this endeavor."

"Athena is honored to work with such an erospace industry giant as Lockheed Martin," said Dr. David Vos, Athena's CEO. "Morphing Aircraft Systems technology, with proven advanced flight controls, will enable first-ever maneuverability in unmanned aircraft that essentially mimics the way raptors fly. This will ultimately provide a new domain of capabilities for military operations. We are excited to be involved in this program," he added.

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
Athena Technologies
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
DARPA Morphing Aircraft Structures Program
UAV News - Suppliers and Technology



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


New Products For Mini And Micro UAVs Save Space And Volume Boost Endurance
Kibbutz Merom Golan, Israel (SPX) Apr 04, 2006
Bental Industries has introduced a range of new products especially developed for current mini and future micro UAVs. This new line addresses the challenges of control, motion and observation in a remotely controlled highly compact airborne platform.







  • NASA Marshall Develops Faster Cheaper Fluid Flow Meter
  • Coal May Lead Way To Hydrogen Economy
  • New Processing Steps Promise More Economical Ethanol Production
  • New Bioproducts Research Centre Will Help Industry Create Forest Biorefinery

  • UN Supporting Russian Nuclear Lobby Over Chernobyl Says Greenpeace
  • China Australia And The Export Of Uranium
  • Blair Indicates Possible Future Switch To Nuclear Power
  • US Regulators Shaped Nuclear Security To Industry Tastes

  • The 'Oxygen Imperative'
  • NASA Studies Air Pollution Flowing Into US From Abroad
  • Carbon Balance Killed The Dinos
  • Earth's Turbulence Stirs Things Up Slower Than Expected

  • Alaska Timber Projection Study Reveals Market Trends
  • China Playing Central Role To Laundering Stolen Timber
  • US, Japan, Europe Drive Chinese Imports Of Illegal Wood
  • Amazon 2050: Implementing Law Could Save Massive Area Of Rainforest

  • Greeenpeace And Nestle Clash Over GM Coffee
  • EU Conference Focuses On Freedom Of Choice Regarding GM Crops
  • Plants Give Pests A Sock In The Gut
  • Changes In Agricultural Practices Could Help Slow Global warming

  • Highly Realistic Driving Simulator Helps Develop Safer Cars
  • Research On The Road To Intelligent Cars
  • Volvo Promises Hybrid Truck Engines Within Three Years
  • Carbon Fiber Cars Could Put US On Highway To Efficiency

  • DaimlerChrysler And Lagardere Cut Stake In EADS
  • Lockheed Martin Delivers F-22 Raptor To Second Operational Squadron
  • CAESAR Triumphs As New Gen Of Radar Takes Flight
  • Northrop Grumman to Provide F-16 Fleet To Greek Air Force

  • Could NASA Get To Pluto Faster? Space Expert Says Yes - By Thinking Nuclear
  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement